I've seen discussion on whether or not the target of a suggestion spell can be compelled to attack a third party. I have not seen any discussion if the target of a suggestion can attack the caster (or the caster's friends).
My understanding of the spell is that the target is not in a trance, so to speak, but must do any action that "sound reasonable." It doesn't say anything explicitly about the reaction of the target to the caster.
So I have some example. I'm making the scenario in both that everyone is on initiative/in combat.
Example 1. Caster's suggestion to target is "Tell me how to get into the keep." Does the target stop attacking and give the answer and then..... ?
Example 2: Caster's suggestion to target is "You need to calm down" because the target was calling for help.
On either of these, by not attacking back is the target engaging in an " obviously harmful act" since the target is no longer defending themselves.
I always took obviously harmful to be something like, jump off that cliff, or run into that fire. Those are right out.
And the spell description says “Or you could say, “Stop fighting, leave this library peacefully, and don’t return.” I’d say example 2 fits right into that mold.
For the first example, I’d maybe have the target explain and keep right on fighting, as talking doesn’t use your action. Which could actually be pretty fun to narrate.
I've seen discussion on whether or not the target of a suggestion spell can be compelled to attack a third party. I have not seen any discussion if the target of a suggestion can attack the caster (or the caster's friends).
With the 2024 version, the target cannot attack the caster, because the spell applies the Charmed condition. This condition explicitly says the creature who has it "can’t attack the charmer or target the charmer with damaging abilities or magical effects". This only includes the caster of the spell, though, not any of their allies.
The 2014 version didn't actually apply the Charmed condition (despite noting that creatures immune to this condition couldn't be affected by it) and so this doesn't apply there.
Hi all,
I've seen discussion on whether or not the target of a suggestion spell can be compelled to attack a third party. I have not seen any discussion if the target of a suggestion can attack the caster (or the caster's friends).
My understanding of the spell is that the target is not in a trance, so to speak, but must do any action that "sound reasonable." It doesn't say anything explicitly about the reaction of the target to the caster.
So I have some example. I'm making the scenario in both that everyone is on initiative/in combat.
Example 1. Caster's suggestion to target is "Tell me how to get into the keep." Does the target stop attacking and give the answer and then..... ?
Example 2: Caster's suggestion to target is "You need to calm down" because the target was calling for help.
On either of these, by not attacking back is the target engaging in an " obviously harmful act" since the target is no longer defending themselves.
I'm curious on people's thoughts.
THanks in advance!
I always took obviously harmful to be something like, jump off that cliff, or run into that fire. Those are right out.
And the spell description says “Or you could say, “Stop fighting, leave this library peacefully, and don’t return.” I’d say example 2 fits right into that mold.
For the first example, I’d maybe have the target explain and keep right on fighting, as talking doesn’t use your action. Which could actually be pretty fun to narrate.
That was my inclination as well. It's interesting b/c the example you reference isn't in the 2014 spell description. That is helpful.
Thanks for your suggestion. Haha.
With the 2024 version, the target cannot attack the caster, because the spell applies the Charmed condition. This condition explicitly says the creature who has it "can’t attack the charmer or target the charmer with damaging abilities or magical effects". This only includes the caster of the spell, though, not any of their allies.
The 2014 version didn't actually apply the Charmed condition (despite noting that creatures immune to this condition couldn't be affected by it) and so this doesn't apply there.
pronouns: he/she/they
Thanks. Quite the change in the spell description btwn the two.